Gas Meter but no Gas?

MWT

Talldave said:

If you fancy the battle though, it would be interesting to see if the "no consumption = no deemed contract" approach works.

It should work and a number of suppliers make that clear on their websites.

The trick though is that you have to deal with it while you are on a deemed contract, all bets are off if you've already called and set up a new contract with them...

For example...

https://sse.co.uk/help/bills-and-paying/removing-your-standing-charge

CTS789

MWT said:

Talldave said:

If you fancy the battle though, it would be interesting to see if the "no consumption = no deemed contract" approach works.

It should work and a number of suppliers make that clear on their websites.

The trick though is that you have to deal with it while you are on a deemed contract, all bets are off if you've already called and set up a new contract with them...

This is exactly what happened in the end I called SSE and explained to them what happened. They checked the letter and address info and said they'll send me a quarterly bill but if I call them they can remove the charge manually. I notice a lot of people have said gas is cheaper, I'd have loved gas I really would, I much prefer it and especially for cooking. In the future I hope I'll have more options to move somewhere with it. In the winter I have an electric blanket and hot water bottles so I try to avoid using the storage heaters. Thanks all so much for your help  

macman

Gerry1 said:

The risk is that the supplier will remove the meter as it is not being used.

Unlikely. My MIL had a gas fire unused for 15 years, as she used NSH's. They used to come and read the meter, and a couple of times sent someone to check that it was working and she hadn't bypassed it. The supplier will be quite happy to carry on collecting the s/c.

macman

CTS789 said:

I guess I'm just confused about whether I can avoid paying that, it's the landlord who wants the meter kept, not me. 

Make a formal request to the LL to remove the meter: it serves no purpose if NSH's are installed in the property, unless he is intending to upgrade to gas CH and DHW in the future. Ask for a rent reduction equivalent to the gas s/c if he refuses. I doubt if he's even aware of the issue.
As molerat has correctly advised, you can dispute the s/c with the provider on the basis that you have never entered a deemed contract for gas. Raise a formal written complaint (don't call them).

Gerry1

Talldave said:

@CTS789 as long as you don't touch the gas meter, you're complying with the tenancy agreement.  The meter belongs to the supplier - if they decide to remove it, that's their choice and nothing to do with you.

That's being very 'brave', as Sir Humphrey would say.  The Ts & Cs of the tenancy agreement would have to inspected very closely, but the OP says that the standing charge is specifically mentioned. The LL's intentions are crystal clear, so when the OP leaves the LL won't be best pleased to find that there's no gas supply and that it may be slow, expensive or even impossible to have it restored.

I'm not convinced that saying that it was an act of omission rather than commission would guarantee to get the OP off the hook, at best they'd probably lose their deposit, and at worse be hounded for damages for loss of amenity or the cost of restoration of the supply.

It just doesn't seem worth the risk to save perhaps the cost of a pint of beer per month.

Talldave

Gerry1 said:

Talldave said:

@CTS789 as long as you don't touch the gas meter, you're complying with the tenancy agreement.  The meter belongs to the supplier - if they decide to remove it, that's their choice and nothing to do with you.

That's being very 'brave', as Sir Humphrey would say.  The Ts & Cs of the tenancy agreement would have to inspected very closely, but the OP says that the standing charge is specifically mentioned. The LL's intentions are crystal clear, so when the OP leaves the LL won't be best pleased to find that there's no gas supply and that it may be slow, expensive or even impossible to have it restored.

I'm not convinced that saying that it was an act of omission rather than commission would guarantee to get the OP off the hook, at best they'd probably lose their deposit, and at worse be hounded for damages for loss of amenity or the cost of restoration of the supply.

It just doesn't seem worth the risk to save perhaps the cost of a pint of beer per month.

The OP said the letting agent "said" they have to pay standing charges.  That's a very different thing from it being in the tenancy agreement that the OP has signed.  Most letting agents are incompetent idiots and talk crap all day long.  The only thing that matters is the tenancy agreement that's been signed by tenant and landlord.  The letting agents have no legal involvement unless that tenancy agreement says so.

I agree it's aggro/risk, but the OP might feel it's a point of principle worth holding out for.

CTS789

Just to let you know, SSE have agreed to manually remove the standing charge every quarter for me, they'll send me a bill and I have to call them but they've said I don't have to pay it. It's definitely a win for me

macman

Is this based on the fact that you have no gas appliances and so have not used gas or entered a deemed contract?
If so, a good result.

rp1974

CTS789 said:

Just to let you know, SSE have agreed to manually remove the standing charge every quarter for me, they'll send me a bill and I have to call them but they've said I don't have to pay it. It's definitely a win for me

Well done,thats great news.Still think your landlord is a bit of a tool though,and likewise for the agents.You could do with a bit of a break by the sounds of things.Do get that in writing from SSE though,just in case further issues arise.Lastly and very much upto yourself,I wouldnt bother telling the landlord or the agents about this either,as you are responsible for paying it then its none of their business.

CTS789

macman said:

Is this based on the fact that you have no gas appliances and so have not used gas or entered a deemed contract?
If so, a good result.

Yes! All of these